Stories

I went to Kosovo to learn about friendship between Serbian and Albanian children. Growing up in Albania, I often heard how these two groups live and work in close proximity but hardly ever interact.

I wanted to explore the friendships forming between the two groups of the new generation. It seemed the best place to do this was from the inside, so attending one of World Vision’s summer camps was a good place to start.

World Vision writer Kari Costanza contrasts the life of her son, Nicholas, with the life of a young man she met in Tanzania, named Nikolaus. Both college-aged, her son Nicholas is in college pursuing his dreams; Nikolaus and his family are struggling to have hope for the future.

Find out how World Vision's programs will soon offer Nikolaus that hope.

As an event coordinator with the World Vision Experience, Kristin McGunnigle tours the country, bringing World Vision's work around the world directly to you. Beginning with the Step into Africa exhibit four years ago, this year she has been coordinating the latest rendition of the Experience: Kisongo Trek.

Today's story comes from southern Ethiopia, one of the best coffee-growing regions in the world! Through a World Vision training and fair trade program, coffee grower Tesfaye now brings in enough income to support his family and send his children to school, giving them hope for the future.

After being at World Vision for over 27 years, you start to think you’ve seen it all. But every trip to the field is unique. I took a team of four other people to Tanzania last December to film the new World Vision Experience: Kisongo Trek, and it was life-changing.

Life in the Indian village of Mawlyngot used to revolve around the brewery, which led many toward alcoholism. Now, through a World Vision initiative, the villagers plant and harvest tea instead -- bringing about a therapeutic transformation for everyone.

For Jonalyn and her family, the dangers of local Filipino mythology -- which tells of monsters that steal children away during the night -- are real. Now, through World Vision, they are able to sleep soundly at night, knowing their house is safe.

With a fresh perspective on World Vision's financial accountability, writer Kari Costanza talks about good stewardship, and how communities she visited in Tanzania are holding each other accountable with their finances through savings groups, working together toward success.

World Vision writer Kari Costanza has a personal connection to carpentry. Recently, she met Lemma, a carpenter in Ethiopia, whose story demonstrates the transformational power of economic development. See how a World Vision microloan and training changed his life.

Katie Swift, marketing project administrator for World Vision Micro, tells the story of Sam Mai, an entrepreneur from Cambodia who changed her life and the lives of her children through two World Vision microloans.

In 2010, Jeremiah tested positive for HIV, then lost his wife four days after she gave birth, leaving him with eight children to care for. Feeling alone and afraid, he sought counseling from World Vision.

Several years later, he is the happy beneficiary of World Vision's livelihood project and is able to take care of his family. Now, he dares to dream about his future.

“My overshirt is off, my hat is off, and I’m really sucking air at this point.”

This is a snapshot of Mark Smith struggling with a 55-pound jug of water in the middle of sweltering Ethiopia. It certainly isn’t where you’d expect to find the owner of the most successful Harley Davidson shop in the United States.

World Vision's Kari Costanza visited a community in Ethiopiawhose residents are experiencing a very pronounced -- and understandable -- emotion over their struggle with a lack of access to clean water: anger.

Today, two photographers bring you snapshots from two different communities: the first in Burundi as it prepares to begin a World Vision development program, and the second in Sri Lanka as it completes its program and celebrates the work that has been accomplished.

Ten years ago, families in impoverished communities in southern Peru like Cusipata were focused exclusively on agriculture and ways to earn money to survive. In their struggles against poverty, parents were distanced from their children, who became last in receiving attention and love.

But thanks to World Vision’s work, this community has changed, and now parents put their hope in their children for sustainable development.

My father, Bob Pierce, first traveled to China in 1947 with Youth for Christ. World Vision wasn’t even a twinkle in his eye. But years later, he would write, “My own world vision from God was sparked on that first trip.” Among the people who ignited that spark were women who were determined to change the world in Jesus’ name.